The roof surface looked level everywhere except that one dip near the ridge (featured photograph). What would case the dip in the roof surface? From the attic, I was able to see that a small area of the roof deck… Read More
Category Archives: Wood
What Can We Tell from These Photos? (Case Study 20)
When evaluating moisture damage in an attic there may be conditions that appear to contradict each other, such as, those seen in the featured photograph and Figure 1. However, a closer and more thoughtful examination indicates that the different appearances… Read More
Visible Signs of Rafter Thrust
In common rafter framing, the rafters support the weight of the roof and snow (or live load) by pushing against the ridge board (and opposing rafters) at the top and pushing outward and downward at the tops of the supporting… Read More
A Baffling Issue (at 1st) with a Raised Patio Deck
When we get reports of a raised patio deck pitching down, sliding glass doors in the patio walls binding, and doors not latching anymore, we begin by measuring the pitch of the floor and walls to help determine what is… Read More
Old Fracture or New Fracture?
Roof framing that has been exposed to a substantial weight of ice and snow exhibits fractures (see the featured photograph). Were the fractures caused by the recent accumulation of ice and snow? How can the history (age) of a wood… Read More
What Can Happen to Unbraced Wood Truss Web Members? Part III
So, to continue on from last weeks post. How did we know that the wood trusses had buckled sideways previously and were reset? Examination of the top chord in the featured photograph shows two nails saw off flush with the… Read More
What Can Happen to Unbraced Wood Truss Web Members? Part II
So, what happens when the web members of a wood truss are not braced laterally as specified by the truss manufacturer? When a wood truss is designed and constructed by a truss manufacturer, the manufacturer commonly provides drawings that show… Read More
What Can We Tell From These Photos? (Case Study 19)
The roof surface exhibits a deep trough near scupper through which the roof drains. The roof runoff can’t drain off the roof until it fills and overflows the trough. The trough has been present for months, as evidenced by the… Read More